What to Think about When Shopping for an Extra Firm Mattress
Shopping for the best extra firm mattress online in the US can feel overwhelming. Considering the points below, from the mattress design to the included warranty, may help make the process easier and lead to a more informed purchase decision.
Sleep Position
Generally, stomach and back sleepers prefer a firm or extra firm mattress. Those who sleep on their side may want a softer feel instead to cradle their hips and shoulders.
Firmness Scale
An extra firm mattress is often a 9 or 10 on the firmness scale, a well-known rating system in the mattress industry. Look for a mattress with this rating if you want extra firm. The mattress firmness scale is 1-10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest.
Spinal Alignment and Support
A quality extra firm mattress like Plank encourages natural spinal alignment. This feature may be something you look for if you are a back or stomach sleeper, as if the mattress is not supportive enough to help keep the spine in alignment, you may wake up with back pain.
Sleeping on the back or stomach puts a person at risk of neck and back pain if there is not enough support, especially in the lumbar or lower back area. An extra firm mattress may be the right choice if it prevents the hips, chest, and back from sinking too low.
Contouring and Comfort
A balance of support with contouring tends to be the most comfortable extra firm mattress for back and stomach sleepers. The key for those who prefer these sleep positions is to mix cushioning and support so that the body does not sink too far into the mattress when laying on it.
Quality Materials
Look at the type of materials used and assess whether they are designed to be long-lasting and well-made. For example, the Plank Firm mattress with high-density foam is generally made to resist sagging over time.

Affordability
Several popular US brands online offer extra firm mattresses for almost every budget. Buying online directly from the manufacturer can be more affordable than buying from a mattress showroom as there is no middleman and the company has lower overhead costs.
Warranty and Sleep Trial
Assess the policies of the mattress company, as well. Is there a long warranty? Does the extra firm mattress come with a sleep trial for you to try it at home with the opportunity to return it within a specific time if it does not meet your needs? These are questions you may want to think about when shopping online.
Why Plank is Our Choice for Best Extra Firm Mattress
After careful consideration, we put the 10-inch tall Plank in our top spot for extra firm mattresses because it offers a great combination of quality materials with support and comfort, qualities that stomach and back sleepers typically look for.
American Chiropractic Association Endorsed
The ACA endorsement of the Plank Firm mattress says a lot about it. The ACA or American Chiropractic Association concluded the mattress support lowers spinal stress, improves lumbar support, and alleviates back pain, as per the Plank US website. This endorsement says a lot about the mattress’s quality and attention to design.
Flippable Style
Get two mattresses for one with the flippable all-foam Plank mattress, which is extra firm on one side and firm on the other. While you may always want extra firm, it is nice to have the option to flip it over if you want to try out the firm feel instead. Plus, the flippable design can extend the lifespan of the mattress.
The extra firm side is 10 on the firmness scale. That is the firmest sleep surface, making for a stable surface that can lift certain back sleepers’ spines into proper alignment for support and comfort along the back. Stomach sleepers may find their spines also are in neutral spine alignment for less chance of back pain, with their hips being level to their shoulders. If wanting to try the firm side, it is 8 out of 10 on the scale, so it has a small amount more sink than the extra firm side.
Supportive Foam
A highly dense 6-inch foam core in the Plank Firm mattress offers support. It is Plank’s firmest foam, which may help prevent too much sinkage while in your stomach or back sleep position. Rather than experiencing sinkage, you are more likely to feel more pushback than the average mattress. This foam is also designed for compression support, which some heavier sleepers look for in a mattress.
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Comfort Foam
Along with getting the support you want when on your back or stomach, you also want to feel comfortable enough to relax and, in turn, fall asleep. The Plank mattress’s 2-inch Supreme Response comfort foam layer offers this comfy feel. Some sleepers may find the mattress support balances well with contouring comfort.
Soft Top Layer
The softness of the .75-inch quilted top of the extra firm side adds comfort to the sturdy mattress. Designed for zero loft, it has continuous pattern stitching to keep that extra firm sleep surface you’re looking for.
Breathable Materials
The foams have an open cell technology, making for a more breathable mattress. With this naturally cool design, heat from the body wicks away, helping keep you feeling comfortable.
Edge Support
If you have ever felt like you might roll off the bed when sleeping on it, you have slept on a mattress with poor edge support. This Plank mattress has edge to edge support for more usable sleep surface. It also has motion isolation technology, so if you share the mattress with a partner, you are less likely to feel them move during the night, which might otherwise have woken you up.
Upgradable
On the extra firm side, you can upgrade to a GLACIOTEX™ Cooling Cover. This option may appeal to those who often overheat at night. The material cools on contact for temperature regulation, which helps some sleepers achieve a more comfortable sleep by preventing waking up in a sweat.
Warranty and Sleep Trial Add to the Value
In addition to the design and materials, you will also want to know about its warranty and sleep trial. The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding mattress has a 10-year warranty, showing great customer service. The long warranty includes defects and deterioration to the foam’s cell structure, provided specific guidelines are met, as per the company’s policy.
It also comes with a lengthy 120-night trial, which means you can try sleeping on the mattress for several months to decide if it is what you are looking for. The return option gives peace of mind. Further adding to the mattress value is the free shipping to all 48 US States (Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada have a fee). There are sales online through the Plank website periodically, too.
Conclusion: What Sets Plank Mattress Apart as an Extra Firm Mattress
When looking for the best extra firm mattress online for a stomach sleeper, back sleeper, or heavy person, Plank is unique in several positive ways.
Firstly, it is an all-foam mattress without the over-sinking feeling many people associate with foam. The sturdy, level mattress has a thick foam core and highly responsive comfort foam for a high level of support, particularly if sleeping on the extra firm side. That may help certain back and stomach sleepers achieve additional support in these positions to prevent or lessen pain.
Also, it is not every day that we see a mattress that is a 10 on the firmness scale. We appreciate that Plank offers this ultra-firm model for those wanting a very sturdy sleep surface.
Finally, the mattress has a customizable design in two ways. Firstly, you can flip it over for a different firmness level. That is great if you want to try firm instead of extra firm at any time. It is like getting two mattresses for one. Secondly, you can upgrade to a cooling cover on the mattress to potentially prevent night sweats. If you tend to wake up unexpectedly feeling too warm, this optional cover might be right for you.
Based on research and review, we recommend Plank’s extra firm mattress because of its thoughtful design for some stomach sleepers, back sleepers, and heavy people.